Turbine.



No. 794.613- PATENTBD JULY 11, 1905.

- R. H. GOLDSBOROUGH.

TURBINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 6, 1904.

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Richard H. ljoldsbaro ugh No. 794,613. I PATENTED JULY ll. 1905.

' R. H. GOLDSBOROUGH.

TURBINE.

APPLIGATION FILED SEPT. s. 1904.

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R. H. GOLDSBOROUGH.

TURBINE.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. a, 1904.

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AIYLIOATION FILED SEPT. 6, 1904.

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R. H. GOLDSBOROUGH.

TURBINE. v

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. s. 1904.

y s SHEETS sums Patented July 11, 1905.

A'rnNr rrion.

RICHARD H. GOLDSBOROUGH, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

TURBINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 7 94,613, dated July11, 1905.

Application filed September 6, 1904. Serial No. 223,429.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, RICHARD H. CroLDsBoR- OUGH, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Turbines, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to compound types of turbines; and it consists inthe parts, constructions, and combinations herein described and claimed.

My invention relates particularly to a compound turbine in which theenergy of the steam is utilized in fractional parts, partiallykinetically and partially in the form of pres-'.

sure, to produce high efficiency at low rotation speeds.

The objects of my invention are to provide a construction in which thewell-known losses occurring during the expansion and regeneration ofsteam will be minimized and in which harmful friction of theactuating-steam passing through the turbine will be largely eliminated,thus insuring a construction capable of a highly efficient andeconomical operation.

A further object of my invention is to provide a perfectly-balancedconstruction free from axial thrust along the shaft during normaloperation and in which the action of the steam will tend to preventdeflection of the shaft intermediate of its bearings.

A further object of my invention is to provide a construction in whichportions of the actuating-steam can be cut off without in any waythrottling or affecting the operation of the remaining steam-supply,thereby permitting operation at maximum efficiency under greatvariations of load.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, forminga part of thisapplication, and in which similarreference-symbolsindicatecorrespondingparts in the several views, Figure 1 is a vertical axial sectional viewillustrating one embodiment of my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional viewon the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with therotating parts removed from the casing. Fig. 4 is a vertical axialsectional view illustrating a modified construction. Fig. 5 is asectional of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a vertical axial sectional Viewillustrating a further modification of my invention. Figs. 7 and 8 aredetail sectional views, on an enlarged scale, illustrating preferredconstructions of the central turbinewheel shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 9 is asectional view on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8; and Fig. 10 is a plan view,partly in section, illustrating more or less diagrammatically apreferred arrangement of turbines for driving the three propeller-shaftsof a ship.

Referring especially to Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings, 1 indicates aturbine-shaft suitably. journaled in the end members 2 of aturbine-casing. The shaft carries a central turbine-wheel 3, providedwith an annular series of vanes 4, extending axially from its oppositefaces, and two side wheels or drums 5, each of which carries a pluralityof annular series of vanes 6 and 7, extending radially from itsperiphery. A suitable number of supply-pipes 8 are provided forsupplying steam to two annular steam-chambers 9 in the turbine-casing,from which the steam is directed by the admission ports or nozzles 10 atan efficient angle against the outer periphery of the annular series ofvanes 4. The outer ends of each of the annular series of vanes 4 carry afiat ring or shroud 11, which is positioned with its outer face in closerelation to an annular member 12. The member 12 is provided with aplurality of passages 13, extending through its inner periphery andconstructed to direct the steam at an etficient angle against theannular series of vanes 6. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the inner sides ofthe passages 13 are closed by the adjacent periphery of thecorresponding drum 5; but obviously the member 12 could be provided withmeans for closing the inner sides of such passages. A spacing-ring 14 ispositioned in the turbine-casing between the annular member 12 and theanalogous annular member 15, which latter member is provided with anannular chamber 16 for receiving the steam discharged through the vanes6 and with a plurality of passages 17, arranged to direct the steam fromthe chamber 16 at an eflicient angle against the annular series of vanes7. The

view, on a smaller scale, taken on the line 5 5 l steam dischargedthrough the vanes 7 may be conducted through a further annular series ofvanes by means of a discharge-chamber and plurality of passages similarto those just described, or it may exhaust directly into theturbine-casing, as shown in the drawings. The drums 5 are showncomprising two end members 18, vane-carrying rings 19, and aspacing-ring 20, securely clamped together by a series of bolts 21.

In the operation of my invention steam is maintained at any desiredpressure within the annular chamber 9, from which it is directed by theadmission-ports 10 at an eificient angle against the outer periphery ofthe annular series of vanes 4. The ports 10 are preferably constructedto provide for a comparatively small expansion of the steam flowingtherethrough, whereby the steam impinges on the vanes 4 at a relativelylow velocity, and thus permits its kinetic energy to be eflicientlyutilized at a low peripheral speed of the turbine. The steam isdischarged from the vanes 4 into the annular chamber or passage betweenthe central wheel 3 and the contiguous end member 18 of the adjacentdrum 5, from which it is discharged through the lateral passages 13against the annular series of vanes 6. It will be clear that thecross-section of said annular chamber measured across cylindricalsurface concentric with the annular series of vanes 4 decreases inapproaching the center of the wheel and that the steam discharged fromthe vanes into the annular chamber will pass successively throughportions thereof of decreasing cross-section. This gradual decrease inthe section of the steampassage tends to transform a portion of thekinetic energy remaining in the steam after.

its deflection from the vanes 4 into pressure and to produce a materialregeneration of the steam-pressure at the largest cross-sectionalportion of the annular chamber, which exists adjacent to the inner edgesof the annular series of vanes 4. The zone or ring of highsteam-pressure thus maintained adjacent to the inner edges of the vanesacts in a very efiicient manner to produce a strong reaction of thesteam in its passage from the vanes and greatly augments the rotativeeffect of the steam passing through the vanes. The steam dischargingfrom the annular chamber through the lateral passages 13 passes througha portion of said annular chamber having a relatively largecross-sectionadjacent the entrance-orifices of said passages 13,

causing a regeneration of the steam-pressure adjacent theentrance-orifices and maintaining a relatively high pressure and lowvelocity of the steam at said orifices. The steam maintained at arelatively high pressure at the entrance-orifices of the lateralpassages 13 is expanded through any desired degree in said passages anddirected thereby at an eflicient angle against the annular series ofvanes 6. The vanes 6 discharge into the annular cham- 1 ber 16, whichsupplies the entrance-orifices of a plurality of lateral ports 17, thecross-section of said chamber 16 measured across the path of the steambeing preferably formed greater than the aggregate cross-section of theorifices of the passages 1'7. This proportioningof the parts provides aconstruction in which a portion of the kinetic energy of the steamdischarged from the vanes 6 will be transformed into pressure, thusproducing a material regeneration of the steam-pressure in said chamber,where it will act to eifect an eflicient reaction on the vanes 6 of thesteam discharging therefrom. The steam which has had its pressureregenerated in the annular chamber 16 is then finally expanded throughthe plurality of lateral ports 17, which are constructed to direct it atan eflicient angle against the annular series of vanes 7, from which itis discharged into the end of the turbine-casing, which constitutes anexhaustchamber in communication with the atmosphere or with a condenser.As shown especially in Fig. 1, the cross-section of the exhaust-chamberincreases immediately at the end of the drum 5, thus constituting, ineffect, a divergent exhaust-passage which will act to produce a freeflow of steam through the vanes 7 and to maintain the steam at a lowdensity adjacent the discharge edges of said vanes.

I have described a construction in which each drum 5 carries two annularseries of vanes; but obviously a greater or less number of series couldbe employed, if desired.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a modified construction in which the steam isdischarged radially inward through a central annular series of vanes 22and then passes radially outward through two annular series of vanes 23,arranged at the respective sides of said vanes 22. The vanes 22 arepreferably constructed to utilize the energy of the steam mainly in theform of kinetic energy, and the vanes 23 are suitably formed to beactuated chiefly by the pressure or reaction of the steam passingtherethrough, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. The vanes 22 and 23 are showncarried between two disks 29 and interposed annular partitions 30, whichlatter are arranged to extend within an annular chamber, the side wallsand inner wall of which are formed by said disks and by an annularspacing member 31 clamped therebetween. As shown especially in Fig. 4,the partitions 3O divide the annular chamber into three subsidiaryannular chambers 41 and 42. Fig. 4 illustrates a satisfactoryconstruction in which the vanes 22 are provided with extensions or bolts33, arranged to extend through apertures in the partitions 30 and vanes23, with their ends seated in recesses in the disks 29. shown with theirinner ends secured to the spacing member 31 by tie-rods 34. Disks 35,carried by the turbine-shaft 36 adjacent the The partitions 30 are disks29, are provided with a plurality of annular series of vanes 27 and 28.Spacingrings 37 are positioned between the disks 35 and 29, andclamping-bolts 38 are shown for clamping said several disks andspacing-rings together. In the operation of this construction steamflows from the annular steam-chamber 39 through the admission-ports 40,which are constructed to provide for any desired degree of expansiontherein and to direct the steam at an elficient angle about the outerpe-' riphery of the annular series of vanes 22. The ports 40 arepreferably constructed to provide for a comparatively limited expan sionof the steam flowing thereth rough, whereby the steam acquires arelatively low velocity permitting its kinetic energy to be etlicientlyutilized at a low peripheral speed of the vanes 22. The steam isdischarged from the vanes 22 into the annular chamber 41, from which itpasses laterally in both directions to the annular chambers 42, whichconduct it to the inner peripheries of the two annular series of vanes23. It will be clear that the cross-sections of the annular chambers 41and 42, meas ured across cylindrical surfaces concentric with theannular series of vanes 22 and 23, are

greatest adjacent the inner edges of said vanes and decrease uniformlyin approaching the turbine-shaft and that the steam discharged inwardlythrough the annular chamber 41 will pass successively through portionsthereof of decreasing cross-section, while the steam con ductedoutwardly through the annular chambers 42 will pass successively throughportions thereof having increasing cross-sections. The steam in passingthrough the successivelydecreasing cross-sections of the annular chamber41 will have a portion of its kinetic energy transformed into pressure,with a resultant zone of relatively high pressure at the point ofmaximum cross-section adjacent the inner edges of the vanes 22. The zoneof high pressure thus maintained adjacent the inner edges of the vanes22 Will prod uce. an efiicient reaction on said vanes of the steamdischarging therefrom. The steam conducted radially outward through theannular chambers 42 to the vanes 23 will pass successively throughsections of increasing cross-section, whereby a portion of its kineticenergy will be transformed into pressure and the maximum regeneration ofpressure will occur adjacent the inner edges of the vanes 23, Where thesteam will be maintained in a condition of relatively high pressure andlow velocity. The steam entering the vanes'23 at a relatively highpressure will pass. therethrough with a rapidly-increasing velocity,whereby an effective rotative force will be exerted on said vanes by thepressure or reaction of the steam. The steam discharged outwardly fromthe vanes 23 is conducted through passages 24 and 25 and annularchambers 26 to the radially-extending annular series of vanes 27 and 28in a manner similar to that described in reference to the sets of vanes.6 and '7 of Fig. 1. This construction provides an efficient type of compound turbine in which the excessive and well-recognized loss caused bysuccessive expansions and regenerations of the steam are minimized, andI have above described my theory of its principle of operation.

Fig. 6 illustrates a modification in which the turbine-casing of theconstruction shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is extended to receive at each .endan additional compound turbine-wheel carried by a common shaft 36 and toprovide two exhaust-chambers intermediate said three turbine-wheels. Thecentral wheel in this construction corresponds to the construction shownin Figs. 4 and 5 and has its parts designated by similarreference-numerals. It is modified to some extent, however, in that theinner portions of the partitions 30 are supported by bolts 43, which aresecured to the disks 2 9 and take the parts of the tie-rods 34. (Shownin Fig. 4.) The compound turbinewheels shown in the respective ends ofthe casing are duplicates and embody one-half of theconstruction shownin Fig. 4. In the operation the steam is conducted from an annularsteam-chest 44 through admission-ports 45, which are constructed todirect it at an eflicient angle against an annular' series of vanes 46,carried by each end wheel. The steam is discharged from the vanes 46into an annular chamber 47, from which it is conducted by an annularchamber 48 to reactionvanes 49 in a manner identical with that describedin reference to similar vanes 22 23 and annular chambers 41 and 42 ofFigs. 4 and '5. The steam discharged from the vanes 49 is directed bylateral passages 50 51 and annular chambers 52 through successiveannular series of vanes 53 and 54 in a manner similar to that fullydescribed in reference to the sets of vanes 27 and 28 of Figs... 4 and5. In this construction the steam-supply can be cutoff from any one ormore of the three compound turbine-wheels to provide for efficientoperation under great ranges of load, and the intermedially-arrangedexhaust-chambers 55 will act to maintain a low density about said idlewheels, thereby minimizing the harmful resistance of their rotatingparts.

Fig. illustrates an alternative construction of the central portion ofthe turbinewheel shown in Fig. 4, in which a spacing member 56 betweenthe disks29 is provided with an annular partition 57, which extendsmedially within the annular chamber 41 to a point beyond the inner edgesof the partitions 30. The partition 57 insures an equal flow ofthe steamfrom the chamber 41 to the two side chambers 42 and also provides a tionin which the two disks 29 are separated by a spacing member 59, carryinga central annular partition 60, extending within the chamber 41, and bytwo retaining-rings 61, to which are secured the tie-rods 34C forsupporting the inner edges of the partitions 30.

Fig. 10 illustrates more or less diagrammatically a preferredarrangement of turbines for driving the three propeller-shafts of aship. In this construction the central pro peller-shaft 62 carries twoindependent turbines A and B, which may be of a construction similar toone of the end compound wheels shown in Fig. 6 or may comprise one-halfof the construction shown in Fig. 1. The ports and vanes of the turbineA are constructed to rotate the propeller-shaft in the directionrequired for propelling the ship forward. and the turbine B isconstructed to produce a reverse rotation of the propeller-shaft. Theturbines A and B are provided, respectively, with independentsteam-supply pipes 63 and 64: and exhaustconduits 65 and 66 to permitthe independent operation of either one while the other one is runningidle. The side propeller-shafts 67 68 carry, respectively, turbines Gand D, which are similar to the turbine A and constructed. to rotatetheir shafts in the direction required for producing a forward movementof the ship. It will be seen that this provides a very satisfactoryconstruction and arrangement in which the steam actuating the turbinesA, C, and D will produce an axial thrust along the severalpropeller-shafts in a direction opposed to the axial thrust exerted bythe propellers thereon, thus obviating the excessive frictional lossesandother disadvantages entailed by use of extensive thrust-bearings.When it is desired to reverse the direction of the ship, the steam iscutoff from the forward turbines A, (Land D and the reverse-turbine B isset in operation. The steam operating the turbine B passes therethroughtoward the left and produces an axial thrust along the propeller-shaft62 in a direction opposed to the axial thrust exerted thereon by thepropeller when revolving in its'reverse direction, there by providing aconstruction in which opposed axial thrusts are exerted on thepropeller-shafts upon both the forward and reverse motion of the ship.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a turbine, the combination of a turbine-shaft, an initial Wheelcarried by said shaft and provided with annular series ofaxially-extending vanes circumscribing a common inner annular chamber,turbine-wheels carried by said shaft laterally to said initial wheel andprovided with annular series of radially-extending vanes, meansconstructed to discharge a fluid medium radially inward through theannular series of vanes carried by the initial Wheel into the commonannular chamber circumscribed thereby, and means constructed to conductthe fluid medium radially outward from said annular chamber and todischarge the same through said radiallyextending vanes, substantiallyas described.

2. In a turbine, the combination of a turbine-shaft, an initial wheelcarried by said shaft, an annular series of axially-extending vanescarried on each side of said wheel and circumscribing an inner annularchamber, turbine-wheels carried by said shaft at each side of saidinitial wheel and provided with annular series of radially-extendingvanes, independent means constructed to discharge a fluid mediumradially inward through each annular series of vanes carried by theinitial wheel into the inner annular chamber circumscribed thereby, andmeans constructed to conduct the'fluid medium radially outward from saidannular chambers and to discharge the same through the annular series ofradiallyextending vanes carried by the adjacent lateral wheels,substantially as described.

3. In a turbine-wheel, the combination of a turbine-shaft, an initialwheel carried by said shaft, and provided with annular series ofradially-extending vanes circumscribing a common inner annular chamber,turbine-wheels carried by said shaft laterally to said initial wheel andprovided with annular series of radially-extending vanes, meansconstructed to discharge a fluid medium radially inward through theannular series of vanes carried by the initial wheel into the commonannular chamber circumscribed thereby, and means constructed to conductthe fluid medium radially outward from said annular chamber and todirect the same across the peripheries of said laterally-carried wheelsat an eflicient angle against said annular series of radiallyextendingvanes, substantially as described.

4. In a turbine, the combination of a turbine-wheel provided with anannular recess about its periphery, two annular partitions securedwithin said recess and constructed to divide the same into three annularpassages communicating at their inner portions, three annular series ofvanes carried by said wheel in position to circumscribe, respectively,said three annular passages of the annular recess, and means constructedto direct a fluid medium .radiallyinward through the central ofsaid-annular series of "anes into the circumscribed annular passage,substantially as described.

5. In a turbine, the combination of a turbine-wheel provided with anannular recess about its periphery containing a radially-extendingpartition, two annular partitions arranged in said recess andconstructed to divide it into three annular passages with communicatinginner portions, and a common clamping means engaging said severalpartitions, substantially as described.

6. In a turbine, the combination of a turbine-wheel provided with anannular recess about its periphery containing a radially-extendingpartition, two annular partitions arranged in said recess andconstructed to divide it into three annular passages withcommunicatinginner portions, and a plurality of clamping-bolts extendingthrough said several partitions, substantially as described.

7. In a turbine, the combination of a turbine-wheel comprising two diskmembers, and an intermediate spacing member, constituting the side andbottom of an annular chamber, twoannular partitions arranged in saidchamber and constructed to divide it into three annular passages withcommunicating inner portions, an annular partition carried by saidspacing member and constructed to extend within the central annularpassage, and a plurality of clamping-bolts extending through saidseveral partitions, substantially as described.

RICHARD H. GOLDSBOROUGH.

Witnesses:

G. AYRES, I CHARLES LOWELL HOWARD.

